The Simpsons (season 3)

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The Simpsons Season 3

The Simpsons Season 3 DVD
Series The Simpsons
Country of origin USA
Network Fox
Original run September 19, 1991 –
August 27, 1992
No. of episodes 24
DVD release date August 26, 2003 (Boxset)
Previous season 2
Next season 4

The Simpsons third season originally aired between September 19, 1991 and May 7, 1992. The season contains all 23 episodes, with two hold-over episodes from season two's "7F" production line. The complete third season was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 26, 2003, released in Region 2 on October 6, 2003 and released in Region 4 on October 22, 2003. A bonus episode also aired on August 27, 1992. Al Jean and Mike Reiss took over as show runners, while Hank Azaria became a regular cast member.

This was the final season released on VHS. All later seasons were released on DVD only. The DVD edition featured commentary for every episode, keeping to tradition.

The third season saw the introductions of four characters: Lunchlady Doris, Fat Tony, and Kirk and Luann Van Houten.

[edit] Awards

1992 was The Simpsons' most successful year at the Primetime Emmy Awards, with the series winning six Emmys, all for "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance", which is juried rather than competitive. The recipients were: Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson in "Separate Vocations"; Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson in "Lisa's Pony"; Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson in "I Married Marge"; Jackie Mason as Rabbi Hyman Krustofski in "Like Father, Like Clown"; Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson in "Lisa the Greek"; and Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel in "Bart the Lover".[1] Mason is the only irregular guest star from the show to win an Emmy.[2] The series received several other Emmy nominations, "Radio Bart" was nominated for "Outstanding Animated Program". The episode "Treehouse of Horror II" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)" (Alf Clausen) and "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special".[1]

The series also won an Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production,[3] an Environmental Media Award nomination for "Best Television Episodic Comedy" for the episode "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington"[4] and a People's Choice Award nomination for "Favorite Series Among Young People"[5]

Contents


[edit] List of episodes

# Original title (top)
Alternative title (bottom)		 Directed by Written by Original airdate Prod. code
36 - 1 "Stark Raving Dad"  Rich Moore Al Jean
Mike Reiss		 September 19, 1991 7F24
Homer's sanity is called into question when he arrives at work wearing a pink T-shirt (caused by Bart throwing his lucky red cap into a load of white laundry). After Bart takes Homer's mental stability test for him (and answers "yes" to every single question), Homer is committed to a mental hospital where he meets a big, hulking bald man who speaks like Michael Jackson. Meanwhile, Lisa is depressed over her upcoming eighth birthday.
Guest star: Michael Jackson (under the pseudonym "John Jay Smith") and Kipp Lennon. 
37 - 2 "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington"  Wes Archer George Meyer September 26, 1991 8F01
While reading a copy of Reader's Digest, Homer finds an entry form for an essay contest, which he signs Lisa up for. When Lisa successfully wins the contest, she and the family travel to Washington, DC where the finals are to be held, to where Lisa bears witness to the seedy underbelly of politics and becomes bitterly disappointed after learning of a bribery scandal involving Springfield's state congressman.
Guest star: Lona Williams. 
38 - 3 "When Flanders Failed"  Jim Reardon Jon Vitti October 3, 1991 7F23
Homer makes a wish for Ned Flanders to be a financial failure. However, the wish comes to life when Flanders's store catering to left handed people goes out of business, causing the Flanders family to end up financially in trouble. Meanwhile, Bart goes to Akira and takes karate lessons, but quits after he discovers that it isn't as interesting as he had expected it to be. 
39 - 4 "Bart the Murderer"  Rich Moore John Swartzwelder October 10, 1991 8F03
After having a terrible day at school, Bart stumbles upon the "Legitimate Businessman's Social Club" Mafia bar where the leader, Fat Tony, hires him to work as their permanent bartender; however, when Principal Skinner ends up missing, Bart is immediately blamed for murdering him, causing Bart to get sent to court.
Guest star: Joe Mantegna. 
40 - 5 "Homer Defined"  Mark Kirkland Howard Gewirtz October 17, 1991 8F04
Homer accidentally saves the Nuclear Power Plant (in desperation by choosing a button via eeny, meeny, miny, moe) and is ashamed when people mistake him for a hero. Meanwhile, Luann forbids Milhouse to be friends with Bart as she feels Bart is a bad influence to her son.
Guest stars: Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn and Jon Lovitz. 
41 – 6 "Like Father, Like Clown"  Brad Bird
Jeffrey Lynch		 Jay Kogen
Wallace Wolodarsky		 October 24, 1991 8F05
When Krusty comes over to the Simpsons’ house for dinner, he reveals to them that he is of Jewish heritage, and that his father, Rabbi Krustofski disowned him for pursuing an a career in comedy, and not a successful career as a rabbi. Bart and Lisa decide to contact the rabbi and convince him to forgive Krusty.
Guest star: Jackie Mason. 
42 – 7 "Treehouse of Horror II"  Jim Rondo Reardon Al Jean, Mike Reiss

Jeff Martin, George Meyer

Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder		 October 31, 1991 8F02

When Homer, Bart, and Lisa eat a ton of candy, the three begin having various nightmares:
The Monkey's Paw (Lisa's nightmare) - A spoof of The Monkey's Paw, where the Simpsons visit Morocco and find a monkey's paw that makes all their wishes come true -- with dire consequences.

The Bart Zone (Bart's nightmare) - A spoof of The Twilight Zone, where the town of Springfield must think happy thoughts or suffer the powers of Bart's twisted imagination.

If I Only Had a Brain (Homer's nightmare) - A spoof of The Thing With Two Heads and Frankenstein, where Mr. Burns kills Homer so he can transplant his brain into a robot's to create a super-efficient worker. 
43 – 8 "Lisa's Pony"  Carlos Baeza Al Jean
Mike Reiss		 November 7, 1991 8F06
When Lisa requires a new saxophone reed for her talent recital, she asks various citizens before asking Homer, who immediately promises to buy her one. Though when Homer breaks his promise, he makes up for it by giving Lisa the one thing she had always wanted, a pony named Princess. With a new pony in the house, Homer struggles with two jobs to cover the cost.
Guest star: Frank Welker. 
44 – 9 "Saturdays of Thunder"  Jim Reardon Ken Levine
David Isaacs		 November 14, 1991 8F07
After taking a fatherhood quiz about Bart, Homer realizes and laments he knows nothing about Bart, and in the result, strives to be a better father after learning that Bart is one of the racers in the Soapbox Derby. Meanwhile, Patty and Selma get their hair done like Mary Tyler Moore. 
45 – 10 "Flaming Moe's"  Alan Smart
Rich Moore		 Robert Cohen November 21, 1991 8F08
When Moe's Tavern suffers financially, Homer tells Moe Szyslak of a secret alcoholic cocktail made with cough syrup and fire he calls "Flaming Homer". Though when Moe tries Homer's recipe in the bar and finds out it boosts his business and patronage, Moe steals the recipe from Homer.
Guest stars: Aerosmith. 
46 – 11 "Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk"  Mark Kirkland Jon Vitti December 5, 1991 8F09
The stock in the Nuclear Plant skyrockets amid rumors of a takeover meaning that all the workers get rich, except for Homer who has sold his for a mere $25 and fears that he'll lose his job. The rumors prove true as two German businessmen buy the plant from Mr. Burns for $100 million and fire Homer for incompetence.
Guest star: Phil Hartman. 
47 – 12 "I Married Marge"  Jeffrey Lynch Jeff Martin December 26, 1991 8F10
After worrying that she may yet again be pregnant, Marge's home pregnancy test gives inconclusive results, prompting Marge to drive to Dr. Hibbert's office. While anxiously waiting, Homer begins to tell Bart, Lisa, and Maggie about how he and Marge got married at a quickie wedding chapel, and how he attempted to prove to Marge's sisters that he can provide for their upcoming child. 
48 – 13 "Radio Bart"  Carlos Baeza Jon Vitti January 9, 1992 8F11
When Bart's birthday party turns into a disaster (after all the presents are lame, except for a label maker from Patty and Selma and an AM radio with a microphone attached to it from Homer), Bart uses the radio to play pranks on others citizens, including one where he tricks the town into thinking a little boy is stuck in a well.
Guest star: Sting. 
49 – 14 "Lisa the Greek"  Rich Moore Jay Kogen
Wallace Wolodarsky		 January 23, 1992 8F12
Homer begins to finally bond with Lisa after learning her unique and convenient ability to pick winning football teams, but when Lisa finds out Homer has only been using her for gambling, she refuses to speak to her father until he fully understands her. Meanwhile, Marge shops with Bart and buys him ridiculous clothing which is taunted by the bullies at school. 
50 – 15 "Homer Alone"  Mark Kirkland David M. Stern February 6, 1992 8F14
The family's dependence on Marge causes Marge to suffer a nervous breakdown during her early morning errands, and decides to go to a spa resort to calm down. Homer, meanwhile (along with beer-swilling barfly, Barney) have to care for the troublesome Maggie while Bart and Lisa spend their time with their spinster aunts, Patty and Selma.
Guest star: Phil Hartman. 
51 – 16 "Bart the Lover"  Carlos Baeza Jon Vitti February 13, 1992 8F16
When a yo-yo craze sweeps over Springfield Elementary, Bart's inept yo-yo happens to break a fish tank, killing the class goldfish. After Mrs. Krabappel sentences Bart to a month of detention, Bart decides to write phony love letters to her under the guise of a man who responded to her personal ad. Meanwhile, Homer tries to cut back on swearing after Flanders complains that Todd is picking up on the foul language. 
52 – 17 "Homer at the Bat"  Jim Reardon John Swartzwelder February 20, 1992 8F13
The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team proves to be a huge success with homer as their official star player, using his "Wonder Bat" to score home runs, many times. But after Mr. Burns makes a bet with Shelbyville Nuclear Power Plant owner Aristotle Amadopoulis, he hires nine professional baseball players to fill out the team.
Guest stars: Jon Lovitz, Wade Boggs, José Canseco, Roger Clemens, Ken Griffey, Jr., Don Mattingly, Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia, Ozzie Smith, Terry Cashman and Darryl Strawberry. 
53 – 18 "Separate Vocations"  Jeffrey Lynch George Meyer February 27, 1992 8F15
When the school makes the students take an aptitude test, it ends up suggesting Bart becomes a policeman and Lisa become a homemaker (instead of a professional jazz musician). While Lisa becomes a troublemaker (since she can not bear being trapped in homebound isolation), Bart improves his grades and behavior and is chosen to be Principal Skinner's newest hall monitor.
Guest star: Steve Allen. 
54 – 19 "Dog of Death"  Jim Reardon John Swartzwelder March 12, 1992 8F17
Santa's Little Helper falls ill and the family must make budget cuts (i.e., Marge dropping her weekly lottery ticket, Bart having his hair cut for free, Lisa forgetting the 4th edition Encyclopedia Generica, and Maggie's clothes lasting longer) in order to pay for his operation. Meanwhile, Springfield is swept up in lottery fever, though news anchor Kent Brockman wins. 
55 – 20 "Colonel Homer"  Mark Kirkland Matt Groening March 26, 1992 8F19
After his behavior at the movie theater embarrasses Marge, Homer and Marge fall into a large argument, causing Homer to head to a redneck bar where he meets a beautiful barmaid named Lurleen Lumpkin with a talent for singing. Homer does everything he can to make Lurleen famous, but takes a very long time to notice Lurleen has fallen in love with him. With Marge already upset and thinking Homer's the one with the roving eyes, it's time for him to decide on his romantic future.
Guest star: Beverly D'Angelo. 
56 – 21 "Black Widower"  David Silverman Jon Vitti April 9, 1992 8F20
Selma reveals to the family she is to get married to her prison-pen pal, who is to be released from prison later that same day. When it's revealed to be Sideshow Bob, the two share several romantic moments until Sideshow Bob plans a sinister motive for Selma: to kill her.
Guest star: Kelsey Grammer. 
57 – 22 "The Otto Show"  Wes Archer Jeff Martin April 23, 1992 8F21
Otto crashes the school bus, and is later discovered that he never actually owned a real driver's license, prompting authorities to fire him. Otto then moves in with the Simpsons after he has been evicted, and attempts to teach Bart to learn to play the guitar, though with difficulty. But it's the way he enrages Homer that might provide an inadvertent return ticket to his beloved bus-driving job.
Guest stars: Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean. 
58 – 23 "Bart's Friend Falls in Love"  Jim Reardon Jay Kogen
Wallace Wolodarsky		 May 7, 1992 8F22
Milhouse falls in love with the new girl, Samantha Stankey, causing Bart and Milhouse's friendship to go into jeopardy. Meanwhile, Homer orders a subliminal cassette tape to help him lose weight, but is accidentally sent one that helps him increase his vocabulary after the weight-loss tapes sell out.
Guest star: Kimmy Robertson. 
59 – 24 "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?"  Rich Moore John Swartzwelder August 27, 1992 8F23
When the radiation from the Nuclear Power Plant causes Homer to become infertile, he is awarded a complete $2,000 compensation (under the heavy guise of an award for being an excellent worker at the plant). Meanwhile, Homer's half-brother, Herb, now living on the streets, returns with a plan on how to regain his name, wealth, and life back and reluctantly turns to Homer for help.
Guest stars: Danny DeVito and Joe Frazier. 

[edit] DVD release

The DVD boxset for season three was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on August 26, 2003, eleven years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including commentaries for every episode.

The Complete Third Season
Set Details[6][7] Special Features[6][7]
  • Optional commentaries for all 24 episodes, plus four easter egg commentaries featuring either Al Jean or Mike Reiss
  • Trivia tracks for "Colonel Homer"
  • Storyboards
  • Commercials
  • Easter egg audio outtakes
  • Multi Language Featurette
  • Clip from the 1991 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade featuring a balloon of Bart
  • Jukebox Feature (11 songs)
  • Previously unseen promo footage of Colonel Homer
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
August 26, 2003 October 6, 2003 October 22, 2003

[edit] References

General
  • Richmond, Ray; Antonia Coffman (1997). The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-638898-1. 
Specific
  1. ^ a b Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search. Emmys.org. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  2. ^ Castellaneta, Dan. (2003). Commentary for the episode "Like Father, Like Clown". The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  3. ^ "Legacy: 20th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1992)", Annie Awards. Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 
  4. ^ "'Dinosaurs', 'Trials' up for environmental nods", Daily Variety, 1992-08-06. Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 
  5. ^ Associated Press. "Roberts, Costner among nominees for 18th People's Choice Awards", The Pantagraph, 1992-02-06. Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 
  6. ^ a b Simpsons, The - The Complete 3rd Season. TV Shows on DVD.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  7. ^ a b c d e The Simpsons Season 3 DVD. The Simpsons Shop. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.

[edit] External links